Common Piston Pump Dispenser with Nested Metering

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dosage dispensers for cleaning agents have complex and space-intensive designs, with high requirements for assembly and maintenance, and risk damage to feeding tubes due to the movement of rotary valves and adjustment mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A compact dosage dispenser with two reservoirs and a common piston pump, featuring a space-saving metering device with a rotatable element for adjusting the discharge cross-section or length, and fixed inlet valves to prevent bending stress on feeding tubes, allowing for sensitive adjustment of component ratios without exposing them to stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary valve is arranged below the pump to adjust component ratio, then the dosage can be adjusted, but the space requirements increase and feeding tubes are exposed to bending stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of component ratioVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The metering element is positioned inside the pump chamber, nested within the existing pump volume. The metering element is arranged concentrically within the pump cylinder, utilizing the internal space rather than adding external components below the pump.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is moved from a vertical arrangement below the pump to a horizontal arrangement within the pump chamber. The metering element rotates in the horizontal plane, changing the discharge cross-section without requiring vertical space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary valve is arranged below the pump to adjust component ratio, then the dosage can be adjusted, but the feeding tubes are exposed to bending stress and may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of component ratioVSAvoiddurability of feeding tubes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The metering element is positioned inside the pump chamber, nested within the existing pump volume. The metering element is arranged concentrically within the pump cylinder, utilizing the internal space rather than adding external components below the pump.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the feeding tubes through a rotary valve mechanism below the pump, the invention inverts the approach by having the metering element rotate in place within the pump chamber, while the feeding tubes remain fixed and connected directly to the pump inlet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the metering device is arranged below the pump, then the component ratio can be adjusted, but the overall device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of component ratioVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The metering element is integrated with the pump chamber as a single assembly. The metering element shares the same rotational axis as the pump piston, combining two functions (pumping and metering) into one integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump chamber serves dual functions: it acts as both the pumping chamber for fluid displacement and the housing for the metering element. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms below the pump.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If a common piston pump is used for two components with adjustment mechanism below pump, then both components can be discharged, but the space requirements and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge of multiple componentsVSAvoidfootprint of dispenser

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The metering element is positioned inside the pump chamber, nested within the existing pump volume. The metering element is arranged concentrically within the pump cylinder, utilizing the internal space rather than adding external components below the pump.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The metering element is integrated with the pump chamber as a single assembly. The metering element shares the same rotational axis as the pump piston, combining two functions (pumping and metering) into one integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution results in a simple, easy-to-assemble, and cost-effective dispenser with reduced space requirements and improved durability, enabling precise adjustment of mixing ratios without damaging the feeding tubes, thus overcoming the limitations of prior art.

Implementation Method 1

a common piston pump for discharging of the components from the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a rotatable metering element is provided for the counter-rotating modification of the discharge cross section or the discharge length, respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow section modification:

Data Source

PatentUS9193579B2Dispenser

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 BRUGGER

AI summary

A dispenser provides measured doses of at least two components using a common pump. Each of the components is stored in its own separate container; each of which is connected to the common piston pump through an inlet valve. A metering device is disposed between the inlet valves and the pump chambers. The metering device is rotatable around an axis and controls the volume of each component disposed by either changing to flow rate of the component through its inlet valve or by changing the stroke length of the piston associated with its inlet valve.